Car tires are an essential part of your vehicle and largely influence your driving experience. Having good quality tires could prevent you from even having accidents. Unfortunately, most car owners don’t think about their tires until there is an urge to change them. The durability of your car tires does not depend on their quality only but also on how well you maintain them.
When is the Perfect Time to Replace Your Tires?
Usually, you will notice when a tire is nearing its lifecycle end as the tread depth will diminish considerably. This wearing out prevents the car from having enough grip, which could lead to losing control of your vehicle while driving. Also, the diminished tire becomes more prone to punctures following the decreased tread thickness. Check here for the best car wheels on the market.
Determining if your tire needs replacement is easy, and everyone can do it. Most tires will have tread wear indicators, usually located between your tires’ grooves. The indicators typically resemble rubber strips, and tire replacement is needed if they become exposed. Another way you can implement to help identify if you need a tire replacement is by placing a penny into the tire’s grooves. You must replace the tire if the penny’s head is visible.
How Much Pressure Do You Need for Your Tires?
It is dangerous to have over or under-inflated tires like worn-out tires. Improper tire inflation causes premature tire wear, affects car handling, puts stress on the steering components, and worsens your car’s gas mileage. Tire pressure involves measuring the amount of air present in the tire, usually measured in pounds per square inch. You can go to your nearest gas station and measure the pressure using a tire gauge.
The amount of pressure depends on a particular car and car tire. You can learn more about this from your vehicle’s manual or the sticker inside your door jamb.
How can I Maximize My Tire’s Lifespan?
You can implement various strategies to increase your tire’s lifespan and help improve your driving experience. These strategies include;
- Check your car tire’s tread and tire pressure frequently to identify any wearing out and ensure proper tire inflation. I recommend you check it once every four weeks.
- Take your car for wheel alignment and balance every two years. This can save you from causing accidents on the road.
- Regularly inspect your tire to help identify any irregularities like uneven tread wear, bulges and tread damage.
- Always be cautious while driving. This way, you can quickly identify problems with your car. For instance, you might note that your car pulls more to one side, has a vibration through the steering wheel or feels heavy to steer. Such issues will definitely indicate that something is amiss; therefore, do not ignore them.
Regarding season, there are three main categories of car tires: summer tires, winter tires and all-season tires. I recommend you get the all-season tires to save your money.